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A new breed of portable computers were introduced in the form of netbooks. Life used to be simple when there were just desktop computers or laptop computers to choose from. Now you have to choose between desktops, notebooks and netbooks. From the mammoth main frame computers that took up four story buildings, computers have undergone progressive miniaturization and today we have netbooks, which are one of the smallest computers ever developed. In this article, you will find a netbook vs notebook comparison that may help you in making up your mind about whether to go for a netbook or a notebook computer.Difference Between Netbook and NotebookNetbooks are lightweight and fast mini-computers that are fast cutting through the laptop computer market share. Notebooks or laptops are your quintessential portable computers, which provide all the features of a desktop computer with the added luxury of portability. Let us compare netbook and notebooks, according to design considerations and utility factors.Size, Weight and Battery LifeNetbooks are a lot more lighter and smaller than notebooks, which is a big advantage for users who are tired of carrying heavy laptop bags. With a screen size of up to or less than 11″ and a weight lesser than half the weight of a 17″ laptop, netbooks are easier to carry.Netbooks have an edge over a laptop when it comes to battery life, which is substantially longer for a netbook as compared to a notebook. Low power consumption due to absence of an optical drive and a smaller screen, contribute to an increased battery life. To sum up, when it comes to size, weight and battery life comparison, netbook is the clear winner in the notebook vs netbook debate. Speed & FunctionalityNetbook is basically designed for net based applications and therefore it has a processor with a comparatively low clocking speed, compared to a notebook. The RAM offered in a netbook is therefore lower than that offered in a notebook. It is not designed for multitasking but for Internet browsing and basic data processing. Hard drive space offered by netbooks is substantial (close to 160 GB) which makes them excellent data storage devices too.If one plans to use multimedia to watch movies and play games, netbook is not the portable computer you are looking for. It is ill equipped for such applications. It is designed for net based applications like browsing, email and spreadsheet calculations. They are excellent computers for learning purposes in schools and colleges, but they are not your complete computing solution. When it comes to speed and multitasking, a notebook computer is a hands down winner.PriceIf you have a look at netbook costs, you will find that they cost less than half of high end notebooks. The cost factor is a major USP for netbooks and that has made it popular among users who need basic computing power. People who need a no frills basic computing machine, will opt for a netbook over a notebook.VerdictNetbooks cannot be used as a substitute for notebooks, but as an added accessory. A netbook with a high battery life comes in handy, when you are on the move and just need internet connectivity for work, without any high multitasking demands. It is an ultra portable device compared to a notebook.It is ideal for students in school and high schools as study aids. A netbook is computing power, stripped down to its bare essentials, offered at a very economical price. For high multitasking demands, gaming and high end computing power, notebooks remain the ultimate choice.Hope this netbook vs notebook comparison has left you in no doubt about which will be the best choice for you. If you let your functionality needs dictate the choice rather than fancy, your job of choosing one from a netbook or a notebook is simpler.